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I am sitting at O’Hare Airport reflecting on an amazing weekend in Chicago. Before I left, my boyfriend asked me what my favorite part of the weekend was. All of my favorite moments involved testing out a famous eatery or enjoying a happy hour. If you have an upcoming trip or have been thinking of visiting the windy city, these are nine amazing restaurants in Chicago you must try.
Coffee:
1. Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea
This coffee company has multiple locations in Chicago. Though I had never heard of it before, it looked aesthetically appealing from outside, so we wandered in. According to their website, Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea has five locations in Chicago. The location we visited was in the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, the same building as Cindy’s Rooftop.
Click here to view all of the Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea locations.
Located just steps from Millennium Park and the famous bean, you can easily stop in after a day of looking at sights.
With it being the beginning of March and on the verge of snowing, a warm drink was a must. The hot mocha was delicious, an even had a design just for me! They have a robust menu with offerings ranging from specialty coffee drinks to matcha teas. Though we did not order any food, there are food opens available for purchase. Fairground Coffee and Tea can be your one-stop-shop before visiting the bean and touring other sights.
Shop This Look
When visiting Chicago, it is important you dress warm. Assuming you are not visiting in the summertime when the sun is shining down on the Windy City, it may get a little cold. We visited in March and it began snowing. Thankfully, I stocked up on a coat before traveling.
This jacket kept me warm while sitting on rooftop bars and walking along the Chicago River. The fur lined hood is perfect to make a statement but is by no means obnoxious.
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CLICK HERE: iLoveSIA Women’s Hooded Warm Coats Parkas with Faux Fur Jackets
Breakfast:
2. Cindy’s Rooftop
Cindy’s Rooftop is a culinary landmark of Chicago. The patio looks over Millennium Park, the harbor, and Grant Park. Located in the Chicago Athletic Building, you may not be able to just stumble in for breakfast. You will take an elevator to the 12th floor where the staff will greet you.
Make sure you schedule a reservation in advance. Book your reservation on RESY.
The wait staff was amazing, we never had an empty glass of water and were impressed instantly. We opted to order a coffee cake instead of two individual plates. It was incredible; you could taste the freshness and the portion size was filling for two people.
I highly recommend going to Cindy’s with your group of friends or significant other and having a mid-morning cocktail. The food and drinks were impressive, and reasonably priced for one of the best restaurants in Chicago with a breathtaking view of the city.
Check out Cindy’s Rooftop on YELP or view their website HERE.
Want more of this incredible view? Check out 5 reasons Cindy’s in Chicago is the best.
3. Wildberry
This establishment is the highest rated breakfast restaurant on Yelp in the Millennium Park area. Now, I see why. There are a variety of options on the menu, everything from traditional breakfast offerings to specialty pancakes which include Oreo Pancakes. Check them out below!
Wildberry is perfect if you are needing a quick bite to start your day. There may be a little bit of a wait. Don’t let this detour you. We were told there would be a 15-minute wait but were seated within 3 minutes of walking in. Also, service is very fast and hospital.
Check out Wildberry on YELP!
A restaurant isn’t the top recommended breakfast spot on Yelp for no reason. Great location, great service, and food that will keep you full through whatever touristy plans you may have for the day.
View Wildberry’s website HERE.
4. Land and Lake Kitchen
We stopped into Land and Lake Kitchen before taking off to the airport. Located in the LondonHouse Chicago, this restaurant has a wide range of breakfast options to choose from. The first thing that caught my eye is the Mimosa Brunch. Offered on Saturday and Sunday, for $30 you get bottomless mimosas and an entrée. It was too bad I was in a rush for the airport and did not have a chance to enjoy this offer.
I ordered the Ham and Swiss Omelet served with breakfast potatoes. Even though we stopped in for breakfast, the restaurant also serves lunch and dinner. They have happy hour specials from Monday through Friday.
Check out Land and Lake Kitchen on YELP or visit their website.
Lunch:
5. The Purple Pig
The Purple Pig is a higher end lunch and dinner spot located around the corner from the Tribune Tower. A fairly small spot with a restaurant, bar, and outdoor patio, The Purple Pig offers many options for whatever you may be craving. We went in knowing that we wanted to splurge on a cheese platter paired with wine.
Check out The Purple Pig on YELP!
The cheese platter did not disappoint. For the two of us, we chose three cheeses, three spreads, and two meats. The selections were delicious and paired well with not only the other items on our board, but also the wines we had chosen. The meat and cheese boards average $30, and can be customized and shared.
If you are looking to have a few drinks and a light lunch, this is a great spot to “Cheese, Swine, and Wine”. Yes, that’s their slogan. Due to their cheese and wine, The Purple Pig became one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago.
View The Purple Pig’s website HERE.
Dinner:
6. Shaw’s Crab House
We went to Shaw’s Crab House at 7:30pm on a Saturday night. We called as we were walking on our way there and were told we could not be seated until 9pm. To our surprise, we were seated at a booth in the bar area as soon as we walked in. We did not order any cocktails at Shaw’s Crab House (thanks to every other place on this list, we were exhausted!). We did, however, have three different courses of food.
See over 2,4000 reviews of Shaw’s Crab House on YELP!
For appetizer, we had lobster tacos. My expectations were along the lines of deep fried lobster meat in a taco shell, and the dish came out as cold lobster. Don’t get me wrong, the dish was still incredible, just not what I expected.
My main dish was lobster fettuccine, and this dish was exactly what I was craving; buttery noodles, cooked spinach, roasted tomatoes, and yes, lobster. It was a cheat meal, and a mighty fine one at that.
View Shaw Crab’s House’s website HERE.
Sit in the bar area, if you can. The bar area was less crowded than the restaurant appeared to be and we got seated right away. Other alternatives – look ahead to making reservations or go before or after the dinner rush.
If you want to visit one of the best restaurants in Chicago, you need to plan ahead. Book your reservation now through Open Table.
7. Giordano’s
I am not the first person to write about Giordano’s and I certainly won’t be the last. This was my first Chicago deep dish pizza experience, and although I am a thin crust enthusiast, I highly recommend it. There are currently three restaurants in Chicago’s downtown area, and there may be even more that I do not know about. If you are downtown wandering near the river, there is a good chance you could pull up your maps and find a location within a mile of you.
View Giordano’s website HERE.
First, let’s talk about your options. Yes, you can order any ordinary pizza, or you can get the Chicago style deep dish with any of the toppings or ingredients that fit your cravings. When you order, you will be told the famous line: “It may take 45 minutes to an hour for your pizza to be ready”. Oh yes, as an impatient millennial, this was worth the wait. The pizza comes out scorching hot and it is ever so satisfying grabbing your first slice and seeing that long cheese trail left behind.
I am not going to beat around the bush. You are in Chicago, order the deep-dish style pizza that this city made famous. The pizza selections range from $20-$35 and can be shared by as many or as few people as you want.
Check out Giordano’s on YELP!
Happy Hour:
8. The Signature Lounge at 96th
As my boyfriend and I were recapping our Chicago trip, I was so surprised when he said his favorite part was having a drink at The Signature Lounge. Housed on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building, The Signature Lounge has 360 degrees of breathtaking views and lush seating. We sat overlooking the western part of the city as it was nearing sunset. I had the privilege of sipping my cocktail and watching the sky get painted orange.
The John Hancock Building is the fifth tallest building in Chicago. Conveniently located just off the Magnificent Mile, The Signature Lounge allows tourists to sip on a glass of wine while overlooking beautiful scenery, without completely breaking the bank. Though the cocktails average around $17 a glass, this is the only cost for your trip 96 floors high.
Check out The Signature Lounge at 96th on YELP!
If you were instead to go to the Sky Deck located on the 103rd of the Willis Tower, you would pay $25 simply for entry. You would look around for a bit, take some photos, and leave. Instead, with your patronage at The Signature Lounge, you will have the ability to relax.
Here, you can enjoy the company of others while overlooking the city, sipping your favorite spirit, taking incredible pictures of the windy city. The views are what make The Signature Lounge one of the best restaurants in Chicago.
View The Signature Lounge at 96th’s website HERE.
9. LH Rooftop
I certainly saved my favorite for last. We stayed at the LondonHouse, so stumbling upon this rooftop was not a coincidence. Located on the river across from the Wrigley Building and Trump Tower, you know I am about to tell you the incredible views this rooftop boasts.
Check out LH Rooftop on YELP!
Located on the 21st floor of the hotel, there is an indoor bar and restaurant. You can easily bounce around from the indoor dining area to the 22nd floor housing the outdoor terrace.
You cannot miss out on this spot. The views are incredible. You will cherish the view and photos taken at LH Rooftop. It is easily one of the restaurants in Chicago where I spent most of my time and money.
View LH Rooftop’s website HERE.
Want to stay at the LH Rooftop? Check out 5 reasons LondonHouse Chicago is the best.
I hope that each of you reading this will someday to get experience these restaurants in Chicago if you have not already done so. These seven spots were my favorite in the city and I loved sharing them with you.
I am always open to recommendations. If you have any favorite restaurants in Chicago, please share them below!
Cheers!
